CONTROVERSIAL plans have been announced to build a slip road on to the A55 at Broughton.

The proposed access on to the Chester-bound carriageway would be just 40 feet away from homes in Chester Meadows and Kinnerton Park.

The Welsh Development Agency has submitted an application to Flintshire County Council for the slip road, which forms part of the highways network for the Agency's proposed Broughton business park.

But mother-of-three Lynden Tilston, of Thornhill Close, Broughton, said the proposed road would be within 40 feet of her back garden.

'What's more, it would be elevated, with no barrier in between,' she said.

'I will be writing to the council to register my strong opposition to the road. In the event of a vehicle leaving the carriageway, there would be nothing to prevent it crashing down into my garden.'

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'Our estate would be sandwiched between the existing retail and proposed business park at Warren Hall.

'The village just couldn't take that amount of extra traffic. Road safety is already an issue here.'

The business park was given planning consent in 1993 by the former Alyn and Deeside Council.

One of the most contentious parts of the scheme is the proposed slip road connecting the multi-million pound development - which would include a hotel, golf course and mini-railway - with the Chester-bound carriageway of the A55.

Cllr Meirion Matthews, who is responsible for planning, transportation and housing on Flintshire County Council's executive, said the slip road would benefit Broughton, improving traffic flows.

'The issue of building a business park is another matter, but the land has planning consent,' he pointed out.

'I favour the slip road because it would assist drivers accessing Broughton Retail Park, giving them easy access on to the Chester-bound carriageway of the A55.'

Green Party activist Cllr Klaus Armstrong-Braun is strongly opposing the road plan, saying: 'This is obviously a key component in the Warren Hall business park plan.

'I oppose that scheme as it would destroy valuable landscape and ancient woodland.

'In addition, the new road would swamp Broughton with traffic and make life a misery for people living alongside.

'If the council approves the slip road, I will challenge the decision in court, as there is no indication in the application that key conservation issues have been looked into as required by European law.'

Nobody from the Welsh Development Agency was available to comment as the Chronicle went to press.